Umpires

West Indies finish with 233 which is more than it looked like they could get at around 30 overs but perhaps a few less with five overs remaining. Mohammed and Hope played well, but West Indies couldn't really cut loose at the end. Pakistan were a bit of mixed bag in the field and with the ball. The pitch is tricky to score quickly on, so it could be hard work to hunt down this target. Catch you for the chase

49.6

Mohammad Amir to AR Nurse, OUT, No run, and a run out to finish...uses his feet, the ball rolls back to the bowler who sees the non-striker is miles out of his crease and walks up the stumps to break them.

49.5

Mohammad Amir to AR Nurse, 2 runs, short of a length, clothed down the ground.

49.4

Mohammad Amir to V Permaul, OUT, No run, finds cover. He aims to swing this down the ground, only gets height (and a lot of it) and it's a simple catch for Hafeez coming around inside the circle.

Brutus_Shylock: "Boy at 48.5 sarfraz should have tried to break the stumps instead of lecturing his out-fielder, might have been close. " Yes! Just seen the replay

49.3

Mohammad Amir to V Permaul, 2 runs, dug out down the ground again, they sprint back for the second.

49.2

Mohammad Amir to AR Nurse, 1 run, worked down the ground to long-on.

49.1

Mohammad Amir to AR Nurse, No run, done again with a slower ball, back of a length, which he tries to swing through the leg side.

Daniyal: "Ah. Yorkers. Been a while since we've seen those. Junaid, seems like, can bowl them consistently."

48.6

Junaid Khan to V Permaul, 2 runs, does quite get the yorker in this time, flicked in the air over midwicket.

48.5

Junaid Khan to V Permaul, 2 runs, back full at off stump, angled square through the off side, good placement...a bit more shouting from Sarfraz when there might have been a run out chance if he was by the stumps.

Mohammad Amir to AR Nurse, 1 run, uses his feet, comes down outside leg stump, makes it into a full toss and clubs to long-on.

47.5

Mohammad Amir to AR Nurse, No run, fired in at the pads, pitches outside leg, doesn't make contact and it's another dot ball.

47.4

Mohammad Amir to AR Nurse, No run, a slower short ball, angled across Nurse who is through his shot early.

Tough for West Indies to reach 250 now. Nurse needs most of the strike

47.3

Mohammad Amir to JO Holder, OUT, No run, finds deep midwicket...misses his yorker but a fraction, Holder gets underneath it but doesn't quite have the placement or power. Shadab makes good ground and holds it nonchalantly.

47.2

Mohammad Amir to AR Nurse, 1 run, terrific yorker, at middle and leg, jabbed to the off side.

47.1

Mohammad Amir to JO Holder, 1 run, over the wicket, full and straight, driven down the ground.

Junaid Khan to JO Holder, No run, huge appeal for lbw, Junaid is pleading, it's very full and straight, Holder playing across it. Sarfraz did well to cut it off while appealing.

46.2

Junaid Khan to JO Holder, No run, full at off stump, from round the wicket, pushed back to the bowler.

46.1

Junaid Khan to JO Holder, No run, beats him with a low full toss outside off at 138kph.

Fahad Ali: "Watching Live from Manaus the heart of Amazon rain forest, hard to explain brazilian cricket. But still trying to keep cricket in middle of forest. Few people know but Brazilians play cricket in the name of Taco ball."

Shadab Khan to JO Holder, 1 run, fuller, he uses his bottom hand to work down the ground to long-on.

45.5

Shadab Khan to JO Holder, No run, can't find the gap in the off side.

45.4

Shadab Khan to SD Hope, OUT, No run, taken at long-on...now Hope tries to go straight down the ground, comes from low down off the bat, doesn't have anywhere near the distance of Holder's shot and the fielder comfortably settles under it.

45.3

Shadab Khan to SD Hope, No run, cut off the stumps to point.

45.2

Shadab Khan to JO Holder, 1 run, flatter, shorter, pushed to cover.

45.1

Shadab Khan to JO Holder, BOUNDARY, 6 runs, the captain unleashes...strides down the pitch and drives handsomely straight down the ground. Into the second or third tier.

Bhavik: "Very important stage of the innings for Windies, I would have sent Nurse instead of Carter considering his recent form in last few games." You were saying...well, it's Holder not Nurse

43.3

Shadab Khan to JL Carter, OUT, No run, Shadab gets his revenge! Not much celebration. The ball is outside off, Carter goes for the slog sweep and it spins considerably to go under the bat and into middle stump.

Shadab Khan to SD Hope, 1 run, fuller again, on the pads, worked along the ground through midwicket.

41.5

Shadab Khan to SD Hope, BOUNDARY, 6 runs, that's a big drag down and put away handsomely into the stands, rocks back and pulls over deep square leg.

41.4

Shadab Khan to JL Carter, LEG BYES, 1 run, an appeal for lbw as this spins back from outside off, he was well across his crease...not a bad shout, actually.

41.3

Shadab Khan to SD Hope, 1 run, very full, gives himself a touch of room and drives to long-off.

41.2

Shadab Khan to SD Hope, 2 runs, not out of the middle, aiming an expansive drive over the off side and it skews off a thick edge over backward point.

41.1

Shadab Khan to SD Hope, No run, driven to cover.

Here's Shadab

James : "Seems like Junaid has got his mojo back, after a spell of poor form. Still waiting for Pakistan to unleash the left arm 4 horsemen (Junaid, Amir, Irfan and Wahab) together. Maybe somewhere like Perth?" Not sure how much more of Irfan we'll see

Junaid Khan to JL Carter, No run, good stuff, back of a length at 140kph, nips back and Carter is hurried into his defensive shot.

40.5

Junaid Khan to JL Carter, No run, almost another edge...Carter as a flat-footed waft at his first ball and nearly edges to the keeper.

Ahsan: "Just joined in. Can anyone tell the condition of the pitch? Is it difficult to bat on? favoring the bowlers?" Been trickier today. Especially against spin. 250 could be a good game. Carter in at No. 6

40.4

Junaid Khan to JN Mohammed, OUT, No run, edged, caught behind! Back of a length outside off, he's aiming to run it down to third man, tickles the top edge and it's a simple chance.

40.3

Junaid Khan to JN Mohammed, No run, defended back to the bowler.

Brings up the century stand

40.2

Junaid Khan to JN Mohammed, BOUNDARY, 4 runs, this time there is fortune, but it's back-to-back boundaries, coming forward into a length delivery outside off and the inside edge shoots past leg stump to fine leg.

40.1

Junaid Khan to JN Mohammed, BOUNDARY, 4 runs, round the wicket, short of a length outside off, and there's some Caribbean flourish - a hint of Gordon Greenidge as he plays a whip-pull off one leg, places it behind square. Lovely.

Junaid returns

raj: "Windies seemed to have learned from Sunday and Permaul will excel ltoday to give them a tight victory.From Jamaica Avenue in Queens,NY. Big shout out to all my peeps in Guyana and Suriname and the NY Centurions C.C."

Alex: "So have we started "where am I watching the game from" game yet? If no, then I'd like to start by stating I am in Cyprus. Beautiful weather with a beer in the hand and an eye on cricinfo. Cheers everyone." We hadn't. But a nice one to start with

36.6

Imad Wasim to SD Hope, 1 run, goes back in the crease and knocks into the leg side.

36.5

Imad Wasim to SD Hope, No run, nicely flighted, this turns from outside off and he leaves it alone.

36.4

Imad Wasim to SD Hope, 2 runs, touch shorter, he cuts in front of square to the sweeper.

36.3

Imad Wasim to SD Hope, No run, this one straightens from middle stump, runs to point.

Imad Wasim to SD Hope, 1 run, round the wicket, takes his bottom hand off the bat as he drives to deep cover.

Imad Wasim returns

Cheers Alan. Good recovery by West Indies. The players are now taking a drink. Joel: "If Shai Hope showed just a little more proactivity then Windies would be well placed - at one point he was 26 off 69 - if he was even on 41 off 69 - 15 more runs and we were 159/3 after 36 overs would be really handily placed. Get 100 off the last 14 overs and 259 is a decent total - on a spinning pitch" Ifs, buts and maybes...key now is that he goes on

Right, we've not had drinks yet... but here's Gnasher to take this to the bridge. Snack offers welcome

35.6

Mohammad Amir to JN Mohammed, No run, turned into the leg side but Hope sends his partner back.

35.5

Mohammad Amir to JN Mohammed, No run, good length, defended with a straight bat coming forwards.

35.4

Mohammad Amir to JN Mohammed, BOUNDARY, 4 runs, short ball but it's misdirected down the leg side and Mohammed swings gleefully across the line, slightly top-edgey but it races away fine for four.

35.3

Mohammad Amir to SD Hope, 1 run, fullish length outside off and steered through the off side coming forwards.

"Hey Alan, Just joined. We know both sides are hungry for wins. What's the good recipe for this pitch?" I like what you did there, Syed Mohsin. If West Indies can cook up 250, somehow, it could be game on

35.2

Mohammad Amir to JN Mohammed, 1 run, 75mph in the channel, Mohammed dabs into the covers for one.

35.1

Mohammad Amir to JN Mohammed, No run, over the wicket, good length, maybe taking the pace off a touch, tapped down towards the turf.

Hasan Ali to JN Mohammed, 1 run, comes across and steers one more into a gap.

34.5

Hasan Ali to JN Mohammed, BOUNDARY, 6 runs, swung to leg, high into the Providence sky, Shoaib Malik is following it over his head at deep midwicket... takes the catch on the run but then treads on the boundary rope as it tries to toss it back in! Super effort but in the end he took it out of bounds with him. No one near to help out with a relay if he had managed to release in time.

"I don't see any more chants for Shadab," haw-haws Bug

34.4

Hasan Ali to SD Hope, 1 run, |Hope comes across to drive, bottom hand coming off the bat, gets one through cover.

34.3

Hasan Ali to SD Hope, 2 runs, length, sits up in the channel to be sliced away through point, behind the sweeper for a couple.

34.2

Hasan Ali to SD Hope, No run, back of a length, taking the pace off, dabbed down towards the fielder behind square again.

"A word of caution, Alan. If cooked incorrectly, ackee can be toxic." Yikes, thanks for the warning, Shilpa. Are you lot trying to bump me off?

34.1

Hasan Ali to SD Hope, No run, Hasan charges in and puts the ball on a length outside off, steered to backward point from the crease.

Hasan Ali to JN Mohammed, BOUNDARY, 6 runs, pick-up six, pulled nonchalantly over deep square leg! Sweetly struck, not a great delivery from Hasan and Mohammed rocked into position and flipped it over the rope.

"Poor Alan here trying to imagine different foods and wondering what they taste like. Give him a break, guys." Now you've got me thinking of KitKats, Ahmed. Luckily I can go and get myself one when Gnasher returns in a bit

Shadab Khan to SD Hope, 1 run, tossed up on off stump, punched through the covers for one.

31.5

Shadab Khan to SD Hope, No run, in a tangle, Shadab pulling the strings now, slips in another googly and Hope falls over his front leg, playing across the line and hit on the pad... but outside the line this time and Shadab doesn't bother to appeal.

31.4

Shadab Khan to SD Hope, No run, ooh, nicely bowled again, a quicker legbreak and Hope swishes and misses on the back foot.

31.3

Shadab Khan to SD Hope, No run, this is definitely the googly, spins inside the bat, thuds into the front pad... big appeal from Shadab but Simon Fry again shakes his head. This time Pakistan do review the not-out decision. Think it's going to be similar to the Hafeez one, hard to get everything lined up from this angle, with the ball spinning in... and yes, Hawk-Eye has it missing leg stump. So, as you were.

31.2

Shadab Khan to JN Mohammed, 1 run, unleashes the full toss, swung down the ground for one to long-off.

31.1

Shadab Khan to JN Mohammed, No run, full and flighted, straightening on middle and leg, defended from deep in the crease.

"Hey Alan, if West Indies win, would you like some ackee and saltfish?" Sure, why not, Tharaka Jasenth. Always up for trying something new

Umair: "Hey Alan, I've always heard people saying that leggies can be/are expensive most of the times. Why just leggies ? why not offies ?" Question of control, innit. Much harder to land wrist spin than finger spin

27.6

Shadab Khan to SD Hope, No run, ooh, nicely bowled, lures him forwards and then rips the ball across his bows, Sarfraz takes it moving deftly to his right... Close.

27.5

Shadab Khan to JN Mohammed, 1 run, gets on to the front foot and steers this one through the covers for a single.

27.4

Shadab Khan to JN Mohammed, No run, better lines and lengths already from Shadab, pushed into the off side, another dot ball.

27.3

Shadab Khan to JN Mohammed, No run, tossed up on off, leans into a push towards extra cover.

27.2

Shadab Khan to JN Mohammed, No run, pushed gently back down the track.

27.1

Shadab Khan to SD Hope, 1 run, flighted, outside off and he plays with an open face for one.

West Indies dealing in singles for now. Seven overs since their last boundary

23.6

Mohammad Hafeez to JN Mohammed, 1 run, full on the stumps and worked away through square leg for one more.

23.5

Mohammad Hafeez to JN Mohammed, No run, spins in, past the inside edge, rapped on the pad... Simon Fry shakes his head! Was it turning too much? Pakistan elect not to review, probably hit him in line but the angle was against the offspinner there.

23.4

Mohammad Hafeez to JN Mohammed, No run, flat on the stumps, Mohammed shows it a straight bat in defence.

23.3

Mohammad Hafeez to SD Hope, 1 run, tossed up outside off, steps out and punches down the ground.

23.2

Mohammad Hafeez to JN Mohammed, 1 run, pushed through on the stumps and Mohammed brushes it off his pads for one.

23.1

Mohammad Hafeez to SD Hope, 1 run, darted on the stumps and Hope breaks his wrists to dab into a gap on the leg side.

Imad Wasim to JN Mohammed, No run, tossed up on middle and off, blocked down into the leg side.

Nicely bowled, that; gave it some more air and smuggled it past the batsman... Here's Jason Mohammed, who's been in decent nick. Slip in

18.5

Imad Wasim to KOA Powell, OUT, No run, slows this up, there's grip and turn... and Powell is stranded, waltzing down and stumped by a mile! Sarfraz blots the memory of Kamral's klutz moment out of his mind and neatly finishes the job. Powell can keep on walking.

18.4

Imad Wasim to KOA Powell, No run, flat on the stumps, darted in and worked straight to midwicket.

18.3

Imad Wasim to KOA Powell, No run, goes back in the stumps and misses with a flick.

18.2

Imad Wasim to SD Hope, 1 run, pushed through flat outside the line of off and driven square off the back foot.

18.1

Imad Wasim to KOA Powell, 1 run, pushed through on the stumps and Powell flicks and single square.

And that's drinks. Pakistan keeping things quiet, although have been let down by Kamran Akmal's fielding. I'll leave that there for Alan to pick up

16.6

Imad Wasim to KOA Powell, No run, full at off stump, played to the bowler.

16.5

Imad Wasim to KOA Powell, No run, on the pads, flicked to midwicket.

16.4

Imad Wasim to KOA Powell, BOUNDARY, 4 runs, pushed across outside off, Powell plays a forcing shot off the back foot and the edge runs fine of short third man to end the wait for a boundary.

16.3

Imad Wasim to SD Hope, 1 run, pushed to long-off.

Kamran Akmal: fielder. Discuss

16.2

Imad Wasim to KOA Powell, 1 run, flicked along the ground through midwicket.

16.1

Imad Wasim to KOA Powell, No run, dropped! And the pressure should have brought a wicket. Akmal spills a simple chance at mid-off. That's a bit village. Powell used his feet, drove in the air, and it was straight at him.

Imad Wasim to KOA Powell, No run, quicker, a little flatter, defended to the on side...keeping things quiet.

14.5

Imad Wasim to KOA Powell, No run, outside off, driven to mid-off.

14.4

Imad Wasim to KOA Powell, No run, round the wicket, at the stumps, pushed back down the pitch.

14.3

Imad Wasim to SD Hope, 1 run, worked down the ground to long on.

Nabeel: "Don't get this from Sarfraz. Why isnt Shadab on? Why Hafeez? Shouldn't the best bowler get a go at these relatively new batsmen? Very strange and he has done this all series." Perhaps trying to build pressure so batsmen have to go after Shadab?

14.2

Imad Wasim to SD Hope, No run, played back to the bowler.

14.1

Imad Wasim to SD Hope, No run, round the wicket, full at off stump, defended.

Hasan Ali to CAK Walton, OUT, No run, dragged on! Carries on where he left off two days ago. First ball to the right hander, gets it outside off stump, draws Walton forward and he pushes with an angled bat away from himself and the ball takes an inside edge into the timber.

8.5

Hasan Ali to KOA Powell, 1 run, hasn't quite got his line right so far, this is outside leg stump and flicked to long leg.

8.4

Hasan Ali to KOA Powell, 2 runs, full at middle and leg, clipped off his toes down to long leg and there's a well taken brace...pushing the fielder hard.

8.3

Hasan Ali to KOA Powell, No run, back of a length, on middle and off, played to the leg side.

8.2

Hasan Ali to KOA Powell, 2 runs, on the pads, this time Powell works it wide of midwicket.

8.1

Hasan Ali to KOA Powell, No run, starts on middle and leg, flicked to midwicket.

Hasan Ali into the attack

Hamza: "This series has accurately captured the outdated approach of both these teams. Cautious approach upfront and betting all your chips on the lower order. No wonder both the teams are languishing at the bottom of the ranking. "

Junaid Khan to CAK Walton, No run, short of a length at off stump, punched off the back foot to cover.

7.3

Junaid Khan to CAK Walton, BOUNDARY, 4 runs, edged, through the gap! Sends this wide of a diving Sarfraz and there's just one wide slip in place. Was a wider, fuller delivery outside off, he chased it without footwork and sent the edge at catchable height where first slip would have been.

7.2

Junaid Khan to CAK Walton, No run, over the wicket, back of a length, driven to mid-off.

Aabhas: "Fire power? Hope, Powell, Carter and Mohammed all have striker rates below 80 in ODIs." Yes, fair enough. Some firepower. And was more meaning what had happened in the first two matches: runs for Mohammed, Nurse and Holder

7.1

Junaid Khan to E Lewis, OUT, No run, short of a length, and pulled to deep square leg! That's a bit of a giveaway...his eyes lit up at the short ball, he went for the pull but sent it straight to Hafeez who was in off the boundary a touch and took the catch very well above his head.

Junaid Khan to CAK Walton, No run, full at middle and off, defended back down the pitch.

5.4

Junaid Khan to E Lewis, 3 runs, gets across the crease and plays a sweetly-timed flick through midwicket...has the fielder managed to flick this back? He reached the ball, but missed the first flick as he slid. Then tried to recover and has done it superbly in the end, keeping himself inside the rope. Good save by Hasan Ali.

5.3

Junaid Khan to CAK Walton, 1 run, back of a length outside off, driven from the back foot to the left of mid-off.

5.2

Junaid Khan to E Lewis, 1 run, another scampered single to the off side as cover can't get across and pick the ball up...might have been close if he had been able to.

5.1

Junaid Khan to E Lewis, No run, on a length outside off, 135kph, driven to the cover ring.

Brian Clifford: "Walton scored a hundred against the touring England side a couple of months ago, so can't be quite as bad as his numbers make out?"

Junaid Khan to E Lewis, 1 run, pushed firmly towards mid-on, good running as he scampers a single towards mid-on.

3.5

Junaid Khan to E Lewis, No run, length ball at off stump, 133kph, defended into midwicket.

3.4

Junaid Khan to CAK Walton, 1 run, on leg stump, flicked off the pads down to long leg.

Tharaka Jasenth: "Andrew old chap, what do West Indies see in Walton? An average of 6.50 after 8 games is surely not good enough at this level?" Yes, not sure. But it's early days for him

3.3

Junaid Khan to CAK Walton, No run, short of a length, across onto middle and off, played to the on side.

3.2

Junaid Khan to CAK Walton, No run, full at off stump, gets forward and plays to the covers.

3.1

Junaid Khan to CAK Walton, No run, back of a length at middle and off, pushed to midwicket.

Shayaan: "The key in this series has been picking up wickets early, just what Pakistan did in the last game. if you let the batsman settle even at a strike rate of 60, at the end, they are going to thrash you. This has been the story of the series"

Cric Doc: "On amir's action: if we watch his videos before and after the ban, there is clear distinction in how he releases the ball. early days pace was generated more through the rhythm but now he is using his shoulder to generate extra pace, which means he is losing his shape and falling to side instead being right behind the ball."

9.30am Well, folks, we will have a delayed start. There is rain lurking and the covers are on the edge of the square. A damp outfield appears to be the problem

timoc78: "Seems a risk not selecting Joseph, with Gabriel under a fitness cloud. Probably not great for the youngster confidence either. Hopefully Permaul proves me wrong at his home ground...."

Shakeena: " Blame no body for the delay Mr. Andrew old chap. It's me. I just came to follow this decider and it's raining and I'm Sri Lankan. You know the relationship between rain and the Sri Lankans goes by :( " It's on you, Shakeena!

Greg: "Nasher, Surely the Windies have access to a weather forecast - have they made an error opting to have first dig?" Well, Holder said he went with some local knowledge from those who play in Guyana.

9.25am A few moments away from the start of the winner-takes-all contest. In many ways it's been an error-strewn series so far. Who will hold their nerve?

It's overcast morning - some rain in the air - in Guyana but Holder says at the toss that he expects the weather to clear up and not be a major factor. Maybe a risk batting first, though, if D/L is needed.

Karim: "We are yet to see a stand-out wicket-taking performance by Amir since his comeback. He has bowled in a disciplined manner and looked good without translating that into wickets. That is the next step and needs to happen soon. Want to see a five-for." There were some interesting points from Waqar Younis during the previous match about some technical issues he thinks Amir has.

Rahul: "@Karim If I remember correctly there were too many drops in Amir's bowling since Australia series, he generated some good number of chances though but his team let him down." Here's a list of some of them up until last November

9.10am Bilal: "I think batting first is a good move by WI. Openers won't feel the scoreboard pressure and players will be able to play with less hesitation allowing them to score willingly and play to their potential"

9.00amWest Indies have won the toss and will bat so are setting a target for the first time in the series

West Indies have brought in Permaul, the left-arm spinner, for Alzarri Joseph - Gabriel has been passed fit. Pakistan are unchanged

Awais Gilani: "Inzi got Lara! man anything is possible in cricket." This match again. One of his three ODI wickets

8.50am Sid: "I love Jason Holder bless his soul, anyone brave enough to lead that side deserves respect. But I'm finding it increasingly hard to justify his place in the side. His bowling is never going to be good enough for him to be the frontline seamer, but he bats pretty well. He should consider coming in at 6, so the WI can play someone like Rovman Powell or Cornwall, and he can bowl everywhere except the death. I hope they solve this issue soon."

Ahsan Zaman: "Interesting times as Pak fan, specially with Champions Trophy looming. Have already booked Pak v SA and would love if Pak could carry some momentum into CT, starting with a series win today."

8.45am Haris Mohiuddin: "Hi Andrew and Alan! Just wanted to say good morning; for a US viewer such as myself, it's such a relief when the games start at 9:30am, and not 3:30am. The game goes from 9:30 till 4:30, which means no work today! On a side note, I know that a lot of people are criticizing Sarfraz, but I just have two things to say: a) Sarfaraz is still new to leading an international cricket team, and b) this is what Mickey Arthur likes - he likes to play good cop and bad cop, in order to achieve a balance between pushing and supporting people to their full potential... and he wants his captain to be the bad cop... it was like that with Michael Clarke as well."

8.30am Hello everyone, welcome to the deciding match of the series from Providence in Guyana. Pakistan produced a solid all-round display two days ago to level things up after seeing the opening game snatched away. It's all set up for a exciting finish. I'm Andrew McGlashan and along with Alan Gardner will bring you the action.

West Indies have added Verrasammy Permaul to their squad with an injury doubt of Shannon Gabriel.

Noman Tahir: "Andrew, you posted my criticism of the Pakistan team before the 2nd ODI, so please allow me to start today's match on a positive note... It's great to see exciting young talent emerging from the shadows and leading the side to victories. Now we need a few all-rounders and power-hitters to complement Babar, Hasan, Shadab, Amir etc."

42.6

ST Gabriel to Shoaib Malik, 1 run, full toss from Gabriel, again Malik nearly swings himself off his feet, clubbed down the ground for one.

42.5

ST Gabriel to Shoaib Malik, No run, digs the ball in short, Malik whirls on an attempted pull but only manages a bottom edge.

42.4

ST Gabriel to Shoaib Malik, BOUNDARY, 4 runs, pitched up and Malik lofts it back over the bowler's head again, picked the slower ball, another straight four.

42.3

ST Gabriel to Shoaib Malik, BOUNDARY, 4 runs, fullish outside off, Malik opens up his stance and belabours this down the ground, not quite a straight six but it isn't far off.

42.2

ST Gabriel to Shoaib Malik, 2 runs, dropped! Length on the pads, flicked in the air... but the diving Walton again can't hold on at midwicket! Another one put down, quite a tough chance but again he got his hands to it. Gabriel the unlucky bowler again.

42.1

ST Gabriel to Sarfraz Ahmed, 1 run, pitched up and punched into the off side, they steal one to mid-off.

"I have been following ESPN since I have started using internet, I love to do comments. But you guys have never published my comment. Is there any criteria to get published your comment?" Wisdom, insight, humour... They all work, Muhammad Mohsan. Begging should be very much your last resort

41.6

JO Holder to Sarfraz Ahmed, 1 run, short ball, Sarfraz swivels and cracks a pull for one more.

41.5

JO Holder to Shoaib Malik, 1 run, pitched up and clipped off the legs through square to the sweeper.

41.4

JO Holder to Shoaib Malik, No run, shuffles across and bunts to mid-off.

41.3

JO Holder to Shoaib Malik, BOUNDARY, 4 runs, wild hack from Malik, he heaves a length ball into the leg side - and immediately looks at the toe of his bat - but it lands just in front of the diving Kieran Powell and bounces through him for four. Bit streaky, that.

41.2

JO Holder to Shoaib Malik, No run, touch shorter, dabbed sensibly down into the off side.

"2:10 am in Pak and I am watching live match along with one eye at cricinfo to watch Pakistan qualify for WC directly." Well, you're getting slightly ahead of yourself there, Naseer - September is the cut-off and Pakistan have to remain in the top eight until then. But winning this series would go a long way to safeguarding that

40.6

ST Gabriel to Sarfraz Ahmed, 1 run, length ball, again on the legs and glanced for a single this time.

40.5

ST Gabriel to Sarfraz Ahmed, 2 runs, too straight, sliding on to the pads, Sarfraz flicks it away expertly and comes hurrying back for the second.

40.4

ST Gabriel to Sarfraz Ahmed, No run, takes the pace off, played late from under his nose but steered to backward point.

40.3

ST Gabriel to Sarfraz Ahmed, No run, pitched up towards the feet, Sarfraz is doing his cat-on-a-hot-tin-roof jive, manages to gets his bat down and drill the ball to mid-on.

40.2

ST Gabriel to Shoaib Malik, 1 run, goes fuller and straighter, 132kph/81mph and clipped square of the midwicket fielder for a single.

40.1

ST Gabriel to Shoaib Malik, No run, slightly back of a length and tapped away into the off side.

AR Nurse to Shoaib Malik, BOUNDARY, 6 runs, makes an early move, Malik is right to the pitch and he slugs it waaaaaaay back over long-on - that's bounced out of the ground! Malik reeling this target in now.

39.1

AR Nurse to Shoaib Malik, No run, around the wicket, tossed up and met with a straight bat, pushed to cover.

"Watching Essex vs Lancashire. Hmm so you did have the pleasure of witnessing another teenage Test batting star in making?" wonders Sjrn. "Here Malik seems like transformed into a Misbah somehow." If you're referring to Essex wunderkind Dan Lawrence - I most certainly did. He looks a splendid prospect

"Baie dankie, Afrikaans, thank you very much in English, from a Pakistani supporter, with Indian Heritage, born and bred in South Africa." Remarkable, Billy Bob. Were your parents fans of rural America?

37.6

AR Nurse to Shoaib Malik, 3 runs, pushed through on the stumps and this is cutely played, just a tickle past fine leg and again they run well to pick up three.

37.5

AR Nurse to Shoaib Malik, No run, Malik steps out, misses and it rolls away off the pad.

37.4

AR Nurse to Sarfraz Ahmed, 1 run, goes down early for the sweep, gets a bit of top edge on the shot... but it lands safely.

37.3

AR Nurse to Sarfraz Ahmed, No run, tossed up on the stumps and pushed back towards mid-on.

37.2

AR Nurse to Shoaib Malik, 1 run, worked away fine on the leg side and they hurry through once more.

37.1

AR Nurse to Shoaib Malik, No run, tossed up full, right in the blockhole and bunted back to the bowler.

Here's Azhar: "Will you ever post my comments Alan? If Pakistan win's, definitely Hafeez is my man of the series for his all round performance. Who's your M.o.S Alan?" Hmmm, well I was in Chelmsford watching Essex play Lancashire for the first two matches - so I'll follow your lead. Well done, The Prof

AR Nurse to Shoaib Malik, BOUNDARY, 4 runs, lobbed up wide of the stumps and Malik dances out to take it on the full, clubbed meatily through the covers and that'll be four.

35.5

AR Nurse to Sarfraz Ahmed, 1 run, on the stumps, nurdles this one off the pads.

35.4

AR Nurse to Sarfraz Ahmed, No run, sliding on outside off, past the outside edge as Sarfraz goes back to cut.

35.3

AR Nurse to Shoaib Malik, 1 run, full and played with the turn, in the air briefly and midwicket slides across, potential for a comedy run-out here... but the fielder couldn't prevent the ball running away and they can trot through for the single.

35.2

AR Nurse to Shoaib Malik, No run, tossed up and punched towards mid-off leaning out on the front foot.

35.1

AR Nurse to Sarfraz Ahmed, 1 run, pushed through outside off and dabbed behind point on the back foot.

Here's ارسلان ولید [who knew Urde(?) worked on the site]: "Sarfaraz hasn't scored 25+ runs since 6 or 7 games. He needs to perform with the bat as well. C'mon captain, game on hai!"

33.6

AR Nurse to Shoaib Malik, BYES, 3 runs, woof, that's a shooter, beats Malik and nutmegs Hope! Would have done for the batsman if it was slightly straighter, instead it's a few more to the Pakistan cause.

33.5

AR Nurse to Shoaib Malik, No run, floated up on off stump, pushed back to the bowler.

33.4

AR Nurse to Shoaib Malik, No run, spin for Nurse, he throws his hands up as Malik brings the bat down late and gets an inside edge through his legs, Sarfraz had come a long way down but sensibly realises there's not a run on.

33.3

AR Nurse to Sarfraz Ahmed, 1 run, touch leg side, worked off the pads and Sarfraz scampers up the other end as backward square leg fires in a throw.

"Whether or not Pakistan save their 26 year streak, there are still lot question marks and check boxes which need to be filled," opines Masroor Dhar, "ICC ranking truly defines the spot Pakistan deserves, hope such kind of ranking system would have been in our classroom, which truly define the proper rank in classroom."

32.6

D Bishoo to Sarfraz Ahmed, No run, floated up and pushed into the covers on the front foot.

Omer Malik: "Alan is backkkkk!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" You betcha

32.5

D Bishoo to Shoaib Malik, 1 run, flat legbreak outside off, goes back and across and steers one more through square.

AR Nurse to Mohammad Hafeez, OUT, No run, caught at deep square leg! Will that spark West Indies. The sweep doesn't pay off this time. Takes a big top edge and Permaul makes good ground coming in off the boundary. Nurse injects some life into the match.

29.4

AR Nurse to Mohammad Hafeez, No run, that's a good one, and a big appeal! Turns sharply back in from outside off. Big inside edge into the pad. Simon Fry saw that.

Earlier than anticipated, the players are having a drink. Naveed ahmed: "Hafeez v2.0 released today. The product has been made more stable with less bugs." A danger of it rebooted to an old version?

28.6

D Bishoo to Mohammad Hafeez, No run, opens the face and runs it to short third man.

28.5

D Bishoo to Mohammad Hafeez, No run, on middle, played to the bowler.

28.4

D Bishoo to Mohammad Hafeez, No run, better delivery, full outside off, hint of spin and pushed to cover.

28.3

D Bishoo to Shoaib Malik, 1 run, played off the back foot to the cover sweeper.

Syed Aleem: "West Indies need some inspiration on the field for things to turn around. I think right now they are just waiting for a wicket to fall. Maybe this where they lack. They do have players with potential, its the belief that goes missing."

28.2

D Bishoo to Shoaib Malik, No run, wide outside off, left alone...Malik things it should have been wide.

28.1

D Bishoo to Shoaib Malik, No run, full and wide outside off, driven to point.

Bishoo returns

Arman: "Can we please keep this Hafeez instead of the one we had for last 7 games? Please?" Well, as you asked nicely

JO Holder to Shoaib Malik, 1 run, delicate touch, short of a length outside off, angled to third man.

26.5

JO Holder to Mohammad Hafeez, 1 run, full toss, driven firmly to mid-off and that might have been close for Hafeez. Could Russell have chanted a wicket? Perhaps out with a hit.

Russell: "Give me a W, Give me an I, Give me a C, Give me a K, Give me an E, Give me a T, Give me a WICKETTTT. How do you guys like my chanting?" Let's see if it inspires West Indies

26.4

JO Holder to Mohammad Hafeez, No run, opens the face and pushes to point, goes for a wander before being sent back.

26.3

JO Holder to Mohammad Hafeez, No run, full at off stump, 136kph, defended.

Umar: "I wonder why they dont check the hawkeye first for LBW reviews as it only takes a few seconds. And if all three conditions are met then go on to check an edge as that normally takes much more longer and often is useless." Takes time to build the Hawkeye replay

V Permaul to Shoaib Malik, BOUNDARY, 4 runs, full at middle and leg, another sweep shot and this one runs quickly behind square area...didn't seem to quite come out of the middle, but whistled to the rope.

25.5

V Permaul to Shoaib Malik, No run, driven into the covers, a little hesitation over a run before they decide against it.

25.4

V Permaul to Shoaib Malik, BOUNDARY, 4 runs, his response, as so often, is a sweet shot, to a ball in almost the same place and he sends it along the ground behind square. Classy.

25.3

V Permaul to Shoaib Malik, No run, a ripper! That's the spot. Full on off stump, spins sharply to beat the outside edge.

25.2

V Permaul to Shoaib Malik, No run, pushed into the off side, can't beat cover.

25.1

V Permaul to Shoaib Malik, No run, round the wicket, full at middle and leg, defended.

AR Nurse to Shoaib Malik, 1 run, low full toss which is driven to long-on.

23.5

AR Nurse to Shoaib Malik, No run, big appeal for lbw as he gets across his crease and misses the sweep. Given not out by Simon Fry. They go for the review. Has it hit him in line? Umpire's call on impact and where it's hitting.

23.4

AR Nurse to Mohammad Hafeez, 1 run, pushed into the off side...that's all they need to do.

Aafaq Khan: "Disagree Nadeem. This Hafeez innings too has been fraught with error and he's ridden his luck. Should've been run out and then given for a clear lbw." It was all going so well, too

23.3

AR Nurse to Mohammad Hafeez, BOUNDARY, 4 runs, goes back to a shorter ball and back cuts fine of shirt third man...more deft touch.

23.2

AR Nurse to Mohammad Hafeez, No run, slower through the air, tapped to leg.

That return to Gabriel wasn't quite what West Indies wanted. This innings now has wings for Pakistan

22.6

ST Gabriel to Mohammad Hafeez, 1 run, this one goes in the air, working a full ball to the leg side, hint of leading edge but safely over midwicket.

22.5

ST Gabriel to Mohammad Hafeez, BOUNDARY, 4 runs, and now he pulls through square, this is dragged down, he swivels nicely and confidently puts it away.

22.4

ST Gabriel to Mohammad Hafeez, No run, back of a length, pushed to point.

22.3

ST Gabriel to Mohammad Hafeez, BOUNDARY, 6 runs, and he takes full advantage! Went back and across, deep in the crease, and picked up a full-length delivery - short of a yorker - and drilled it over long-on. Top strike.

Free hit

22.3

ST Gabriel to Mohammad Hafeez, NO BALL, 1 run, oh dear, he's overstepped, the ball is worked to midwicket...he's often pushing the line. Yes, a big no-ball.

Nadeem: "This has to be one of Hafeez's finest knocks in a very long time. I honestly did not expect him to come out and bat like he has done today especially with the circumstances upon his arrival! " Top Professing so far

22.2

ST Gabriel to Mohammad Hafeez, No run, comes forward, pushed with an open face to backward point who makes a sharp save.

22.1

ST Gabriel to Shoaib Malik, 1 run, on a length outside off, chopped down to third man...registered as 91mph.

AR Nurse to Mohammad Hafeez, BOUNDARY, 4 runs, a short ball, dispatched through midwicket with a strong pull and that takes him to an excellent half century from 58 balls.

21.5

AR Nurse to Mohammad Hafeez, No run, angled in at leg stump, clipped to square leg.

Jiten Chandaran: "WI need to go bang bang. Only 233 on the board. They need to have at least one slip in place for the spinners, otherwise they are just relying on batsman error."

21.4

AR Nurse to Shoaib Malik, 1 run, touch short, he has time to rock back and place it through the covers.

21.3

AR Nurse to Mohammad Hafeez, 1 run, spins in from outside off, takes the pad as he comes forward, well outside the line for the lbw appeal.

Adeeb: "West Indies having exactly five bowlers..pakistan need to target one of them " Asking rate does not call for anything over the top. Meanwhile, Hafeez's bat hit Nurse's ankle as he turned for the second run.

21.2

AR Nurse to Mohammad Hafeez, 2 runs, sweeps strongly, from outside off, scoots square of the wicket but Bishoo does well to cut it off.

21.1

AR Nurse to Mohammad Hafeez, No run, defended to the on side...nice line outside off.

Ahsan Ahmed : "2 old Pro's of Pak cricket stabilizing the situation calmly and curbing the game in favour of pakistan... great to see !!!"

16.6

V Permaul to Mohammad Hafeez, 3 runs, much better, but the slip has come out...full on middle and off, spins, takes the outside edge and runs towards third man. May not have carried to a slip, but that's the problem with the loose stuff. Captain loses confidence.

16.5

V Permaul to Mohammad Hafeez, BOUNDARY, 4 runs, too short, again, and it's put away square of the wicket, this time with more of a square drive than a cut.

16.4

V Permaul to Mohammad Hafeez, No run, tapped square to the off side.

16.3

V Permaul to Mohammad Hafeez, 2 runs, width outside off, he deftly opens the face and runs it square through the off side.

16.2

V Permaul to Shoaib Malik, 1 run, fuller, at the stumps, driven down the ground.

16.1

V Permaul to Shoaib Malik, BOUNDARY, 4 runs, a little short, sits up off the pitch, he has a lot of time to rock back and guide it fine of backward point with a late cut.

D Bishoo to Mohammad Hafeez, No run, appeal for lbw as he misses a sweep at a very full delivery...they decide against the review. Was there a bottom edge involved? Perhaps leg-side. Replay shows would have bounced over leg stump.

V Permaul to Shoaib Malik, No run, stretches well forward, bat in front of pad as he defends.

14.5

V Permaul to Shoaib Malik, No run, full at off stump, defended on the front foot.

14.4

V Permaul to Shoaib Malik, No run, lovely ball! This spins sharply past the outside edge. There's a small query about a stumping and it's being checked but the foot remains behind the line.

14.3

V Permaul to Mohammad Hafeez, 1 run, prods forward, plays to cover.

14.2

V Permaul to Mohammad Hafeez, BOUNDARY, 4 runs, this time he finds the gap, playing with a straighter bat this time, opens the face and places it wide of backward point. Lovely use of the wrists...ah, he was help by some spin off the outfield, too.

14.1

V Permaul to Mohammad Hafeez, No run, a fraction short outside off, allows Hafeez to play off the back foot. He cuts to point.

That appears to be drinks, so I'll hand over to Gnasher. Play nicely, everyone

13.6

D Bishoo to Shoaib Malik, No run, flat, straightening outside off and stays a touch low, Malik miscues into the off side.

13.5

D Bishoo to Mohammad Hafeez, 1 run, slightly short from Bishoo, bit of a hoick into the leg side but it lands safely and they get one more.

13.4

D Bishoo to Shoaib Malik, 1 run, tossed up, Malik stands tall and punches one through point to the sweeper.

13.3

D Bishoo to Shoaib Malik, No run, flat legbreak, driven square off the back foot, again finds the fielder.

13.2

D Bishoo to Shoaib Malik, No run, pushed through outside off, slightly short but the cut finds backward point.

13.1

D Bishoo to Shoaib Malik, No run, floated up full on off, Malik gets something of a leading edge towards cover.

"@Shakeena you've become a celebrity now, we see your comments regularly getting posted on cricinfo." She's certainly got the knack, Umar Afridi. But anyone can master it if they put in the hard yards in comment training

"Batting with Fear will never make Pakistan's batting line up a success," lectures badar. "Try fearless and aggressive batting for only 5 ODIs. Pakistan will lose some matches but will be fearless for the rest of the future."

12.6

V Permaul to Mohammad Hafeez, 2 runs, gives it some air, again drifts a touch too straight and the sweep brings them a couple more.

12.5

V Permaul to Mohammad Hafeez, No run, full on middle and off, Hafeez presents a straight bat.

12.4

V Permaul to Shoaib Malik, 1 run, Malik comes forward and dribbles another single to long-on.

12.3

V Permaul to Mohammad Hafeez, 1 run, tossed up and worked back down the ground for one.

Malik and Hafeez getting mixed up with their running... who would have thought it?

10.6

ST Gabriel to Shoaib Malik, No run, slightly full, pushed in front of point, Hafeez goes barreling off down the pitch but Malik sends him back - there's a chance for a run out here but the throw misses! Bishoo was the fielder from cover, only had one-and-a-half stumps to aim at but he was off target and Hafeez can pick himself up from the dust and continue.

10.5

ST Gabriel to Shoaib Malik, No run, full outside off, Malik jabs down on it and steers into the covers.

10.4

ST Gabriel to Shoaib Malik, No run, length ball in the channel, tailing back in but not enough to make Malik play.

"That was a brilliant wicket by Muzzammil," chirps Syed Aleem. "West Indies needs more of this."

8.6

ST Gabriel to Shoaib Malik, 1 run, short, 142kph over the stumps, Malik hops back and blocks down into the leg side, they pinch a single to get him off the mark.

8.5

ST Gabriel to Shoaib Malik, No run, full, angling in, nicely timed back down the ground but mid-on cuts it off.

8.4

ST Gabriel to Babar Azam, OUT, No run, bowled him! Babar plays on, leg stump is pegged back and Gabriel slaps the turf in elation... That's a huge wicket for West Indies and Pakistan are in the doodoo now. Maybe nipped back at him, Babar rather wafted at it, left a big gap and it ricocheted into the woodwork.

8.3

ST Gabriel to Mohammad Hafeez, 1 run, touch shorter, 139kph/87mph and it's softly dropped into the covers for a single, good strike rotation.

"My comment just got posted and my friend doesn't believe it was me :(" Are you well known as a fantasist among your compadres, Walter Mitty ali?

7.6

JO Holder to Babar Azam, No run, dug in short, only 133kph/82mph but Babar isn't interested and swiftly ducks it.

7.5

JO Holder to Babar Azam, No run, back of a length outside off, leaves this one to fly through to the keeper.

7.4

JO Holder to Babar Azam, No run, moves across and taps down into the off side, early call of "No!".

7.3

JO Holder to Babar Azam, BOUNDARY, 4 runs, lovely stroke, as if he could hear Muzzammil's words in his hears, slightly full and straight from Holder and Babar whips it away wide of mid-on to the fence. Slick.

"In the midst of all the negative comments being published, let's praise Babar Azam here for playing ever so intelligently and beautifully." Well, let's just hope you haven't jinxed him, Muzzammil

6.6

ST Gabriel to Mohammad Hafeez, 3 runs, pitched up and stroked through the covers, classical stylings from Hafeez although it won't quite bring four as the ball is reeled in a few yards from the rope.

6.5

ST Gabriel to Babar Azam, 1 run, length ball in the channel, Gabriel still pushing the speed gun up towards 90mph, slashed down to third man via a thick outside edge.

6.4

ST Gabriel to Mohammad Hafeez, 1 run, pitched up on off, 141kph/88mph and driven without much timing towards mid-off, they make it home as the throw comes in.

6.3

ST Gabriel to Mohammad Hafeez, No run, angled in a little straighter, Hafeez turns it down into the leg side.

6.2

ST Gabriel to Mohammad Hafeez, No run, shuffles on to the front foot and defends this time.

6.1

ST Gabriel to Mohammad Hafeez, BOUNDARY, 4 runs, full-length ball, just outside off, draws Hafeez into the drive - and a thick inside edge flies just past leg stump! It'll go for four but that's a moral victory for Gabriel... Not that you can do much with those.

JO Holder to Mohammad Hafeez, 1 run, gets off the mark with a leg glance fine for one.

5.5

JO Holder to Mohammad Hafeez, No run, length, top of off stump, 128kph/80mph and Hafeez lines it up to block.

Here's ali: "Pak recently lost its record for winning Zimbabwe in test series for 25-plus years and now they are gonna lose this one too....:("

5.4

JO Holder to Mohammad Hafeez, No run, shortish and once again worked off the body to leg.

5.3

JO Holder to Mohammad Hafeez, No run, back of a length on the stumps, turned to the leg side.

5.2

JO Holder to Mohammad Hafeez, No run, and Holder greets him with a bouncer, followed by a few choice words. Hello Hafeez!.

5.1

JO Holder to Ahmed Shehzad, OUT, No run, WHADDACATCH! Shehzad's time is up, he resorts to aggression, too close to cut, really, and the edge flashed late to Hope's right but the keeper threw himself sideways and grasped it low down with one hand - another ones bites the dust!.

Mohammad Hafeez is next in. Can the Professor decipher this chase? Well, he's experimenting already - seems as if Holder has been asked to remove the sweatband on his wrist, a la Dean Jones to Curtly Ambrose

"Shehzad masterful at picking out fielders and avoiding rotating strike," grumbles zain. Give him time, eh? This pitch looks like it takes a few balls to get going

4.6

ST Gabriel to Babar Azam, No run, pitched up, in the channel and mistimed into the covers coming forwards.

4.5

ST Gabriel to Babar Azam, BOUNDARY, 4 runs, full, again Gabriel touches 90mph but this is wide, room for Babar to free the arms and he clumps the ball past backward point for another boundary.

4.4

ST Gabriel to Babar Azam, No run, tighter line from Gabriel, 135kph/84mph and Babar shows it a straight bat.

4.3

ST Gabriel to Babar Azam, BOUNDARY, 4 runs, lovely timing, driven coming forwards and he threads it between extra cover and mid-off, evading two desperate dives and running away for the first boundary of the Pakistan innings.

4.2

ST Gabriel to Babar Azam, No run, play and a miss, good heat from Gabriel, slightly wobbly seam but it ducks back in and fizzes past the edge.

4.1

ST Gabriel to Babar Azam, No run, slightly short of a length, outside off and Babar drives with his hands away from his body, gets an inside edge.

Aafaq Khan is feeling bold: "Another century for Babar today. And he'll follow it up with another against India on June 4th."

3.6

JO Holder to Ahmed Shehzad, No run, full on off stump, struck firmly back down the pitch but Holder sticks out a hand to stop it as Babar leaps to regain his ground.

3.5

JO Holder to Ahmed Shehzad, No run, comes across and pushes into the covers.

3.4

JO Holder to Babar Azam, 1 run, dabbed down into the off side and Carter comes racing in, not quite the full Jonty but he launches into an underarm throw, narrowly off target - but I think Shehzad was in.

3.3

JO Holder to Ahmed Shehzad, 1 run, pitched up on middle and off, clipped neatly back down the ground for one.

3.2

JO Holder to Ahmed Shehzad, No run, shortish outside off, Shehzad jabs it towards backward point on the back foot.

Eventful over, although rather too much slapstick for an international cricket match. In summary: three runs scored

2.6

ST Gabriel to Ahmed Shehzad, 2 runs, length ball, angled in on the stumps, clipped through backward square leg for a couple.

2.5

ST Gabriel to Ahmed Shehzad, No run, dropped! Full, 145kph/90mph, Shehzad completely miscues and the ball lollipops towards mid-on... where Walton drops it diving forwards! He made up the ground to his left, seemed to get both hands to the ball, but shelled it. Gabriel is understandably not amused.

2.4

ST Gabriel to Ahmed Shehzad, No run, pitched up and driven along the carpet towards mid-on.

2.3

ST Gabriel to Babar Azam, 1 run, touch short, driven into the covers off the back foot, slight misfield in the covers... and Babar and Shehzad have run straight into one another! Such was the force of the impact that Shehzad's helmet popped off his head, but he was able to stay on his feet and hobble into the crease at the striker's end as the throw came in. Lucky the collision didn't cost them - kids, that is not how you take a single.

2.2

ST Gabriel to Babar Azam, No run, Gabriel marauds to the crease and hammers a shortish length just outside off, defended on the back foot.

2.1

ST Gabriel to Babar Azam, No run, length ball, 142kph/88mph on middle and off, Babar moves across and turns the ball towards square leg, no real timing in the shot.

"Can anybody clarify the rankings situation that this game will decide!?" I think it will leave WI in ninth and Pakistan in eighth whatever the result, Qasim. Although the five-point gap will presumably change either way

0.6

ST Gabriel to Babar Azam, No run, beats him for pace this time, back of a length in the channel, Babar throws the hands through a cut but misses.

0.5

ST Gabriel to Babar Azam, No run, short and a touch wide, goes back to cut but gets a bottom edge towards backward point.

0.4

ST Gabriel to Babar Azam, No run, banged in and Babar again lines it up to block into the off side.

"I told you that Akmal's poor fielding will also affect his batting performance. But you didn't publish my comment Man :p" Well, Naqash, unlike Kamran you get a second chance

0.3

ST Gabriel to Babar Azam, No run, short of a length, 138kph around fourth-fifth stump, Babar drops it down softly towards his feet.

0.3

ST Gabriel to Babar Azam, WIDE, 1 run, slides this down the leg side, Hope doesn't take it cleanly - called wide.

0.2

ST Gabriel to Babar Azam, No run, gets into line and defends.

0.1

ST Gabriel to Kamran Akmal, OUT, No run, pitched up, Kamran closes the face to play to leg... and gets a leading edge to cover! He's gone for a golden duck and West Indies are among the wickets straight away! Perfect start defending a small(ish) total, Gabriel strikes - though perhaps not the wisest shot selection when you haven't seen how the pitch is playing.

Okay, the players are now out in the middle (seems like they were not going to compromise on the full 45-minute interval). Ahmed Shehzad and Kamran Akmal opening up for Pakistan - and Shannon Gabriel is fit to take the first new ball

Right, shall we get this chase on like Donkey Kong? This is the lowest target of the series... but the pitch also looks like the slowest, so 234 could still be a tricky target. Can Pakistan avoid doing a Pakistan and manage to hold their 26-year unbeaten series run against WI? We're about to find out.

But while we await the restart... "WI should not think that they have bad day for batting today. I have more bad day today then them. I sent more then 10 comments but Alan and Andrew didn't post a single comment of mine. This is the first time that I tried to send the comments and my all comments went in vain. Bad and sad day for me. But still I love Cricinfo." That's the spirit, Mube. And in today's your lucky day after all...